7 Best Foods to Feed Your Puppy and Adult Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is an easy to breed to recognize for his fluffy white coat and his cheerful disposition. These little dogs may not be big, but they pack a lot of personality into a small package. Developed originally as a sailing dog, this breed eventually became known as a lap dog and, to this day, he remains a popular companion and family pet.

In addition to being playful and friendly, the Bichon Frise is simply a joy to have around.

If you aren’t sure where to start when shopping for a healthy dog food product, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve done the hard work for you! Keep reading to learn what foods to feed a Bichon Frise.

Bichon Frise Diet and Nutrition

The first thing you need to remember about your dog is that he is a carnivore.

This means that the majority of his nutrition should come from animal sources. For example, any high-quality dog food should start with an animal source of protein as the first ingredient. Most of your dog’s fat intake should come from animal sources as well – things like chicken fat or salmon oil.

When it comes to carbohydrates, your dog doesn’t have any specific nutritional requirements, though you should limit his carb intake as much as possible. Why? Because animal foods are more biologically valuable to your dog – his body is better adapted to digesting and deriving nutrition from these sources. You can include some plant foods for dietary fiber and essential nutrients, but your dog’s diet should largely be animal-based.

What about additives? You should avoid any product made with artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives but there are some beneficial supplements. Chelated minerals, for example, are synthetic mineral supplements that have been chemically bound to protein molecules which makes them easier for your dog to digest. Probiotics like dried fermentation products are a good addition as well.

Top 4 Best Foods to Feed an Adult Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise doesn’t have any specific dietary needs other than a nutrient- and energy-rich formula. This being the case, you have the freedom to choose a formula that you think your dog will like. To make sure his energy needs are being met, however, you should start with a small-breed formula to ensure that the product has plenty of protein to maintain lean muscle mass and fat for concentrated energy.

If you want some help getting started, here are our top four picks:

Ollie Healthy Turkey Feast Fresh Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Turkey breast, turkey liver, kale, carrots, lentils
Key Features :

• Human-Grade
• Fresh food
• Portioned Individually for your dog
• Auto-ships direct to your door

Ollie is a great choice if you are looking for a super premium dog food for your pet. Fresh food diets are gaining popularity with humans, and at the same time they are becoming popular with pets. Ollie’s ingredients are all human-grade and are slow cooked to preserve the nutritional integrity. There are no artificial flavors or fillers in any of their recipes, so you can be sure that your dog is getting whole, fresh ingredients and nothing more. When you sign up for Ollie, you will fill out a profile about your dog to help them create a customized recipe and delivery schedule that will suit your needs. The food is delivered to your doorstep and stored in your fridge or freezer, ready to serve when your pet needs it. Although Ollie is more expensive than other dog foods, there are a lot of added benefits that make a fresh food diet something to consider!

Canidae PURE Petite Salmon Formula Dry Food

Healthy Ingredients : Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Lentils, Tapioca
Key Features :

• Grain-free
• Gluten-free
• Complex carbs
• Small batches

The Canidae PURE line of products is entirely grain-free which is great for Bichon Frise dogs because it reduces the risk for triggering food allergies. This particular recipe is made with fresh salmon as the main ingredient as well, further reducing that risk. This recipe contains just five key ingredients and it is made in smaller batches to ensure freshness and quality. It contains gluten-free, grain-free carbohydrates like peas and lentils as well as flaxseed for supplementary fiber. You’ll also be glad to see chelated minerals and dried fermentation products on the list.

Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Turkey Recipe Small Breed Formula

Healthy Ingredients : Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Canola Oil, Sweet Potatoes, Lima Beans
Key Features :

• Good for pets with food allergies
• Single animal protein
• Small kibble size
• No corn, wheat, or soy

Though it is one of the newer brands on the market, Nulo offers a variety of high-quality pet food products including this small-breed recipe. Made with a single animal protein, this recipe helps to reduce the risk for food allergies. It contains 57% fresh turkey and turkey meal in every cup, plus it is optimized for small-breed nutrition. It is supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion and it comes in a smaller kibble size to make it easy for your Bichon Frise to eat. It doesn’t contain any corn, wheat, or soy ingredients and it is free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Recipe

Healthy Ingredients : Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Brown Rice
Key Features :

• Added fiber
• Probiotics
• Gluten-free
• Protein-rich

The Complete Health line of products from Wellness is full of nutrient-rich recipes designed to nourish your dog’s body from the inside out. This particular recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of small-breed dogs, so you can rest assured that it is protein-rich and full of energy. You’ll also be glad to know that it contains oatmeal as the primary carbohydrate which is a gluten-free grain. Other beneficial ingredients include supplementary proteins, added fibers, chelated minerals, and probiotics.

Top 3 Best Foods to Feed a Puppy Bichon Frise

Small-breed puppies reach their adult size very quickly so, realistically speaking, your Bichon Frise may not need a puppy food formula for the first 12 months of his life. Once your puppy reaches about 80% of his expected adult size, you can switch to one of the adult recipes above. Until then, however, stick with a high-quality small-breed puppy formula.

Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Formula

Healthy Ingredients : Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chickpeas
Key Features :

• Human-Grade
• Cooked to Order Weekly
• Portioned Individually for your dog
• Auto-ships direct to your door

Even though this recipe isn’t specifically formulated for small-breed puppies, it is loaded with healthy protein and animal fats. The Raw Boost line of products from Nature’s Variety Instinct features a combination of protein-rich kibbles and freeze-dried raw bites to ensure high-quality nutrition. This particular recipe is designed for puppies, so it comes in a smaller kibble size and it is positively packed with nutrition. In addition to plenty of protein like chicken meal and turkey meal, this recipe contains chicken fat, tapioca, dried lamb, chelated minerals, and probiotics.

Solid Gold Lil’ Boss Turkey Recipe Small Breed

Healthy Ingredients : Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chickpeas
Key Features :

• Fresh vegetables
• Gluten and grain free
• Protein rich
• Designed for small breed puppies

The Solid Gold brand of pet food is aptly named because all of their products are worth their weight in gold. This particular recipe is specifically designed for small-breed puppies so it is loaded with healthy protein and fat. In addition to being protein-rich, this recipe is gluten-free and grain-free, plus it contains plenty of fresh vegetables for fiber. It contains a whopping 35% protein and 18% fat, so you can rest assured that your Bichon Frise puppy’s needs for energy and nutrition will be met.

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula

Healthy Ingredients : Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
Key Features :

• Fruits and veggies
• Grain-free carbs
• Variety of fish
• Probiotics for digestion

Taste of the Wild is known for using high-quality proteins in all of their recipes and this Pacific Stream Puppy formula is no exception. Made with a variety of fishes, this formula features salmon and ocean fish meal as well as salmon oil – a perfect blend of protein and fat. Other beneficial ingredients include grain-free carbohydrates like peas and potatoes as well as natural sources for key nutrients such as tomatoes, blueberries, and raspberries. It also contains probiotics and chelated minerals.

How Much Should You Feed Your Bichon Frise?

Many dog owners find themselves wondering how much to feed their dogs.

Why wonder when then answer is right in your pantry?

If you take a look at the package your dog food comes in, you’ll find a section dedicated to feeding recommendations. These recommendations are generally made based on bodyweight, so you’ll need to know how much your dog weighs. You can probably find this information in your dog’s vet paperwork or, if you have a scale at home, you can check for yourself.

Once you know how much your dog weighs, you can take a look at what the recommendation is on the food label. Some dog food brands offer recommendations based on more than just weight – they might factor in age or activity level, for example. Either way, know that these recommendations are just that – recommendations. You’ll need to monitor your dog’s weight and body composition over the next few weeks to make sure the amount you are feeding him is correct.

After a few weeks, take your dog’s weight again. If he’s gained weight, you might need to reduce his portion. Remember, Bichon Frise dogs only weigh 10 to 18 pounds, so a gain of just a pound or two could be significant and dangerous. If your dog has lost weight (and he didn’t need to), you might need to feed him a little more. If you want to make sure you feed your dog the exact right amount, you may want to calculate his calorie needs to start with – keep reading to learn how.

How Many Calories Does My Bichon Frise Need?

Your dog is just like you – his body needs a certain number of calories on a daily basis just to maintain essential bodily processes like respiration and digestion.

Unlike you, your Bichon’s total daily calorie needs are probably nowhere near the 2,000 mark. In fact, they may be under 500. But how do you know how many calories your dog needs?

Generally speaking, dogs require about 30 calories per pound of bodyweight. For a Bichon Frise with a weight range of 10 to 18 pounds, that leaves you with something between 300 and 540 calories. What you need to keep in mind, however, is that small-breed dogs like this have very fast metabolisms and they burn through energy very quickly. This being the case, your dog may need something closer to 40 calories per pound, giving you a range of 400 to 720 calories a day.

Want to get a little more specific? Here is the formula for calculating your Bichon Frise dog’s specific calorie needs based on his bodyweight:

Resting Energy Requirement (RER) = 70 x (bodyweight in kg)¾

After calculating your dog’s RER, the energy requirement for a healthy, altered adult dog, you can multiply it by one of the following factors depending on his age, sex, and alteration status:

Description	Factor
Puppy 0 to 4 months	RER x 3.0
Puppy 4 to 12 months	RER x 2.0
Intact Adult Dog	RER x 1.8
Altered Adult Dog	RER x 1.6
Active, Working Dog	RER x 2.0 – 5.0
Weight Loss	RER x 1.0
Weight Gain	RER x 1.2 – 1.8
Obese or Inactive Dogs	RER x 1.2 – 1.4

Once you have your Bichon Frise’s RER (according to the formula above) just multiply that number by the correct factor according to this chart. Once you have your dog’s daily calorie requirements, you can use the nutrition information on the pet food package to determine how much to feed him each day.

35% Off + Free Shipping on Bichon Frise Dog Food Shop Now How To Redeem This Offer

What to Look for in a Good Bichon Frise Food

Now that you know how many calories your dog needs each day you can find a high-quality dog food product and calculate his daily portion accordingly. But what should you look for in a dog food?

First and foremost, make sure that whatever formula you choose lists a high-quality source of animal protein as the first ingredient. Because Bichon Frise dogs are prone to allergies, however, you may want to stick with less common proteins than chicken or beef – try bison or fish, for example. You should also make sure that the primary fats in the recipe don’t come from common allergens either.

After making sure that the product is rich in protein, make sure that it contains plenty of healthy fats for concentrated energy. Your dog can also receive some energy from carbohydrate sources, just ensure that they are digestible for dogs – whole grains are okay for dogs that aren’t sensitive, or you can stick with gluten-free, grain-free options like sweet potato or peas. And you should also check to make sure there isn’t too much fiber – fiber over 5% could actually contribute to digestive problems in some dogs, so be careful when you start shopping around.

Though any dog can develop an allergy, Bichon Frise dogs are known for being highly prone to allergies. In addition to inhalant and contact allergies, dogs can also be affected by food allergies – especially for common ingredients like chicken, corn, or wheat. If you’re worried about food allergies for your Bichon, consider a limited ingredient diet (LID). This is simply a product made with a novel source of protein and carbohydrate, novel meaning something your dog hasn’t eaten before. If your dog has already developed an allergy, this food should enable him to recover from it. At that point, you can test him for specific allergens with a food trial or just keep feeding him the LID.

Bichon Frise Dog Food Comparison Table
Rank	Product	Price	Rating
Human Grade	Ollie Healthy Turkey Feast Fresh Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Save 50% Here	Varies	A+
#1	Canidae PURE Petite Salmon Formula Dry Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$6.33/lb	A+
#2	Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Turkey Recipe Small Breed Formula  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$3.80/lb	A+
#3	Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Recipe  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$2.77/lb	A
#1	Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Formula  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$3.50/lb	A+
#2	Solid Gold Lil’ Boss Turkey Recipe Small Breed  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$3.09/lb	A+
#3	Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$1.67/lb	A

Conclusion

Every dog breed is different, and every specific dog has different needs. It can be difficult to figure out what your dog should eat and how much. We hope that our product recommendations and our feeding guide and tips have helped make it a bit simpler for you and your Bichon Frise. We are confident that if you choose one of the products we have discussed here, you will be pleased and your pup will be healthy and happy, too.